Our economy:?Sales up, unemployment down

November 4, 2012

WARREN - Trumbull County shoppers spent almost 6 percent more this July than they did in July 2011, according to sales tax numbers released last week by the Ohio Department of Taxation.

Sales tax collections for Trumbull County purchases made in July increased to just more than $2 million.

Sales and use tax generated for purchases in July 2011 was $1.89 million.

Figures are released monthly by the state Department of Taxation, with the most recent information accounting for sales tax accrued on July sales, collected by the state one month later in August and then were distributed in October.

Year-to-date sales tax figures also remain up in Trumbull County, at $15.77 million, compared to the same figure for 2011, $15.29 million.

Meanwhile, Mahoning County shoppers weren't quite as generous with their money. Mahoning County sales tax numbers saw a drop in spending for July 2012, which equated to sales and use tax collections of $2.52 million, compared to July 2011 spending that equated to $2.61 million in sales tax.

Here is a more complete look at all indicators of how the local economy is faring.